Selectively operable apparatus actuated by cyclically applied fluid impulses



Dec. 5, 1961 D. P. DARWIN AL 3,011,698

CTIVELY SELE RABLE APPA US ACTUATED BY CYCLICA APPLIED FLUID IMPULSES Filed Dec. 7, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ENTORS DA P. DAR ROBERT M. KEL GG ZYMM ATTORNEY Dec. 5, 1961 D. P. DARWIN EI'AL 3,011,698

SELECTIVELY OPERABLE APPARATUS ACTUATED BY CYCLICALLY APPLIED FLUID IMPULSES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 7, 1959 FIG. 5

PUNCH DISPLACEMENT B mun IMPULSE B A FLUID \MPULSE A ENERGIZED CONTROL MAGNETS DE-ENERGIZED FIG. 6

Dec. 5, 1961 D. P. DARWIN ETAL 3,011,698

SELECTIVELY OPERABLE APPARATUS ACTUATED BY CYCLICALLY APPLIED FLUID IMPULSES 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 7, 1959 FIG.9

1961 D. P. DARWIN ET AL 3,011,698

SELECTIVELY OPERABLE APPARATUS ACTUATED BY CYCLICALLY APPLIED FLUID IMPULSES Filed Dec. 7, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patented Dec. 5, last 3,l11,698 SELECTIVELY GPERABLE APPARATUS ACTU- ATED BY CYCLIQALLY APPLIED FLUID ru- PULSES Daniel P. Darwin, Seratoga, Calif., and Robert M. Kellogg, Binghamton, NIL, assignors to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, =N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 7, 1959, Ser. N 857,737 11 Claims. ((31. 23413i3) This invention relates to apparatus actuated by hydraulic fluid impulses and, more particularly, to selectively operable apparatus adapted to be actuated by cyclically applied hydraulic fluid impulses.

Heretofore, where it was desired to selectively operate apparatus which was to be actuated by cyclically supplied fluid impulses, it was common to bypass the cyclically supplied fluid impulses away from the apparatus for the period of time that the apparatus was not to operate. In the instance of bypassing the cyclically supplied hydraulic fluid impulses, a selectively operable valve would be utilized to direct or divert the fluid impulses to or from the apparatus to be actuated thereby; depending upon whether or not the apparatus was to be actuated. It would be quite common to actuate the valve by magnetic means which could be selectively energized at relatively rapid rates.

While this form of control is quite effective, its speed or operation is somewhat limited. The present invention is directed to provide an improvedcontrol which operates according to entirely different principles. Instead of controlling the application of the cyclically supplied fluid impulses, the actuation of the apparatus is selectively restrained or permitted while the fluid impulses are cyclically applied to actuate the apparatus.

In order to'operate at very high speeds, it is desirable that the forces necessary to restrain actuation of the apparatus as the fluid impulses are cyclically applied be as small as possible. Further, it is desirable that these forces exercise a control function only and not be required to move any elements so as to perform work.

In the instant invention, the forces necessary to restrain actuation of the apparatus are small because the hyraulic forces resulting from the cyclically applied fluid impulses are limited by force reducing mechanism so long as the apparatus is restrained against movement. apparatus is selectively restrained against movement by magnetic devices which act upon the apparatus. The magnetic devices are not required to move the apparatus but only hold the same against movement. If the magnetic devices are so operated to permit movement of the apparatus by the fluid impulses cyclically applied, the force reducing mechanism is called out of action and the forces developed by the fluid impulse so applied then increase and displace the apparatus rapidly. Hence, the magnetic devices are required to overcome only a relatively small force; but, if the magnetic devices permit movement of the apparatus, the forces for moving the same increase rapidly.

Two different principles are employed for reducing the forces developed by the cyclically applied fluid impulses; the reduced forces then being sufficiently small to be overcome by the selectively operated magnetic means. In one instance, the fluid impulses are selectively confined to act upon only a small area of the operating member so as to develop only a small force; while, in another instance, the full pressure of the fluid impulses is confined as much as possible to a force reducing member, and that which escapes to act upon the operating member does so at a very low pressure so as to develop an insignificant force, whereby the resultant force is easily overcome by The the magnetic means. Fluid impulses are also utilized to return the apparatus so as to bring the same under control of the magnetic devices and again bring the force reducing mechanism into action. It is thus seen that this arrangement permits selective actuation of a member at extremely rapid rates; 7

The present invention is particularly suited to be incorporated in machines for selectively perforating record cards. The punch elements for perforating the record cards are provided with extensions which are, in effect, armatures of the control magnets. The control magnets, when energized, restrain the punch elements against movement. The punch elements are adapted to be moved bidireotionally by cyclically applied fluid impulses. The fluid impulses are applied to operating members which move the punch elements to restored and punching positions. With the punch elements in the restored position, the armatures formed integral with the punch elements are abuth'ng the cores of the magnets. Hence, with the punches restored, and if the magnets are energized, the

force reducing mechanism is efiective and the punches will be restrained against movement to the punching po sition upon application of the fluid impulses, because the forces capable of being developed by the confined fluid impulses are insufficient to overcome the holding forces of the magnets. If the magnets are not energized, the force reducing mechanism is rendered ineffective and the fluid impulses will act upon the operating members to develop full force to displace the same at a rapid rate and thereby move the punches to the punching position,'carrying the armatures away from the cores of the magnets. it is thus seen that, as the operating members are displaced, the fluid impulse is no longer confined and may act to develop relatively large forces to move the opera ating members at a rapid rate.

Hence, because the forces developed by the fluid impulses are less when the punches are in the restored position, the forces required of the magnets to restrain the punches against movement are sufficiently small to permit selective punching at relatively high speeds.

Accordingly, it is a principm object of the invention to selectively control the operation of apparatus which is to be actuated by fluid impulses applied cyclically at very high rates.

Anothervery important object of the invention is to limit the forces developed by the cyclically applied fluid impulses until the apparatus is permitted to operate as determined by the controls therefor.

A more specific object of the invention is to cyclically apply fluid impulses to actuate punch elements selectively restrained against movement by magnetic means.

Another specific object of the invention is to restore the operated apparatus under full power so that the same is rapidly restored to come under the influence of the controls therefor which are selectively operable to control further movement of the apparatus without doing any work.

Still another object of the invention is to control the displacement of an operating member which is displaced by cyclically applied fluid impulses by sealing off the fluid impulses so that they are confined to act upon a limited area of the operating member and thereby can only develop small forces which are selectively overcome by magnetic means to prevent displacement of the memher because, if the same is displaced, the seal is opened and the fluid impulses then are no longer confined and develop large forces for moving the member at a rapid rate.

A further object of the invention is to provide controls for operation of hydraulic apparatus adapted to be actuated by cyclically applied fluid impulses which includes a force reducing member selectively operable to reduce the actuating forces developed by said fluid impulses, whereby the reduced forces are selectively overcome by selec ively operable magnetic means so as to provide selective opera;

tion of the hydraulic apparatus.

The foregoing and other obiects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawmgs.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partially in section, showing one embodiment of the invention as incorporated in a record ca d punching machine;

FIG. 2 is a detail sectional view showing the mechanism in FIG. 1 for displacing the punch element-to the punchmg position;

FIG. 3 is a detail sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 but with the operating member fully' extended;

FIG. 4 is a detail sectional view showing another embodiment of hydraulic apparatus for displacing the punch element to punching position and to the restored position; 7 FIG, 5 is a partial detail view of the mechanism in FIG. 4 showing the operating member in engagement with the seal element;

FIG. 6 is a diagram Showing the punch displacement curve, the relative timing for the fluid impulses, and the state of the magnet for controlling the displacement of the punch; 7

FIG. 7 is an exploded isometric view of the apparatus ,for developing or generating the cyclic hydraulic fluid impulses;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing pressure distribution of the fluid impulse as it acts upon the operating member of the apparatus in FIG. 2; a

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the pressure distribution of the fluid impulse applied to the operating member in FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the distribution of fluid under pressure acting upon an operating member not provided with a seal element and having a construction where the pressureof the leakage fluid is substantial to develop relatively large forces; and,

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the hydraulic apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 4 incorporated in a punching machine.

Before describing the diflerent embodiments of the invention, the apparatus for developing the fluid impulses which wfll be applied to the operating members will be described. While the hydraulic fluid impulse generator does not form an essential part of the invention, because any suitable fluid impulse generator would be satisfactory, it will be described since it works very well for supplying fluid impulses alternately emerging from two diflerent outlets at a system pressure of approximately 500 pounds per square inch and at a frequency of approximately 200 cycles .per second.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 7,

I a fluid impulse generator 10 consists of an outer stator element 21 fitted with end members 21; only the right end member is shown. The end members 21 form caps for the outer stator element 29, but are recessed so as to form fluid end chambers 22."Th e outer stator element is provided with three spaced apart inwardly opening annular recesses 23, 2d and which form fluid conducting channels. The recesses 23, 24 and 25 are in register with and circumscribe or encircle radial bores 26, 27 and 28, respectively, spaced around the periphery of a sleeve 29 embraced by-and concentric with the outer stator element 2%). The length of the sleeve 29 is coextensive with the stator element 20. A rotor 30 is disposed to be rotatable within the sleeve 29 and is coextensive therewith. The ends of the rotor 30 cooperate with the end members 21 to forrnthe fluid end chambers 22. The rotor 3% is driven by a shaft 31 attached to it to extend through the end chamber 23., not shown, to connect to a suitable driviug source, also not shown.

The peripheral surface of the rotor St; is providedwith an outwar ly opening annular groove 32 which is in register with the bores 27. A series of arcuately spaced slots 33, al o formed in the peripheral surface of the rotor 3i? to extend to the'right and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rotor 34 open into the annular groove 32 and terminate to form fluid passages with the bores 28 when in arcuate alignment therewith. A series of arcuately spaced slots 3 formed in the peripheral surface of the rotor 3'3 are disposed to lie between the arcuately spaced slots 33 to open into the right-hand end chamber 22 and to terminate to form fluid passages with the bores as when in arcuate alignment therewith. Hence, the bores 28 will alternately be in fluid communication with the slots 33 and 34, respectively, as the rotor 30 rotates. Of course, the slots 33 are in constant fluid communication with the annular groove 32 which, in turn, is in fluid communication with the bores 27, the same being in fluid communication with the annular recess 24. The annular recess 24- is supplied with fluid under pressure from a source, not shown, by means of a fluid conductor 35 connected between said source and the outer stator 20. The slots 34 are in constant fluid communication with the end chamber 22 which is in fluid communication by a conductor, not shown, to a fluid reservoir at zero hydraulic pressure; the fluid reservoir is not shown. The bores 23 are also in fluid communicationwith the annular recess 25. A fluid conductor 36 is connected to the outer stator 29 to connect with the annularrecess 25. The fluid conductor 36 supplies the A fluid impulses.

The peripheral surface of the rotor 3% is also provided with a series of arcuately spaced slots 37 opening into the annular groove 32 and extending away therefrom to the left to terminate so as to form a fluid passage with the bores 26 when in arcuate alignment therewith. A series of arcuately spaced slots 33, formed in the periph eral surface of the rotor 39, are disposed to lie between the arcuately spaced slots 37 and open to the lefthand end chamber 22 while terminating at the right so as to form fluid passages with the bores 2d when in arcuate alignment therewith. Hence, the bores 26 will be alternately in fluid communication with the slots 37 and 38, respectively, as the rotor 36 rotates. Further, the slots 37 are in line with the slots 34, while the slots 38 are in line with the slots 33. Therefore, the bores 26 will be in fluid communication with the slots 37, which open to the annular groove 32 so as to receive fluid under pressure coming via the fluid conductor 35, the annular recess 24 and the bores 27, at the same time the bores 28 are in fluid communication with the slots 34, which open to the right-hand end chamber 22, which is at zero hydraulic pressure. Likewise, the bores 28 will bein fluid communication with the slots 33 so as to receive fluid under pressure via the fluid conductor 35, the annular recess 24, the bores 27 and the annular groove 32, during the time the bores 26 are in fluid communication with the slots 38, which open to the left-hand end chamber 22, which is connected to be at zero hydraulic pressure.

The bores 26,-which alternately communicate with the slots 37 and 38, also are in constantfluid communication with the annular recess 23 and the outer stator 20. A fluid conductor 39 is connected to the outer stator 20 so as to be in fluid communication with the annular recess 23. Hence, B fluid impulses are supplied over the fluid conductor 39;

From the foregoing, it is seen that means have been provided to develop and supply fluid impulses alternately occurring on a cyclic basis. The geometry of the rotor 39 relative to the sleeve 29 determines the phase relationship between and the base width of the fluid impulses A and B, while the angular velocity of the rotor 30 determines the frequency.

With reference to FIG. 1, the invention is shown in one form, by way of example, as apparatus including a hydraulically operated unit 59 for displacing a member 51 in one direction and a hydraulically operated unit 52 for displacing the member 51 in an opposite direction. The hydraulically operated units Sil and 52 are alternately supplied with fluid impulses developed by the fluid impulse generator lfl. When the fluid A impulse, shown in FIG. 6, is applied to the unit 5%, the member 51 is displaced to the position shown in FIG. 1. However, when the B fluid impulse, which occurs alternately with the A fluid impulse, is applied to the hydraulic unit 52, the member 51 will be displaced only if a magnet 53 is deenergized. The member 51 has a V-shaped end 55 which is complementary to the core of the magnet 53 and acts as the armature thereof. As it will be seen shortly, the hydraulically operated unit 52 is so comprised that the B fluid impulse cannot develop forces sufflcient to displace the member 51 unless the magnet 53 is de-energized at the time the B fluid impulse is applied.

As shown in FlG. l, the member 51 also includes a punch element 56 at its other end. The punch element 56 is adapted to slide within a punch guide 57 and perforate a record card 53 positioned between the punch guide 57 and an aligned punch guide 59. The record card 58 is transported into and out of the punching position by cooperating feed rollers 66 driven in the usual manner the drive therefor is not shown.

, Re erring to FIG. 2, the hydraulically operated unit 52 is comprised of a bored housing 71 including a horizontally extending inlet bore 7i which is connected to the fluid conductor 39, FIG. 7, to receive the B fluid impulses. The horizontally extending inlet bore 71 intersects a longitudinally extending bore 72 which slidably contains a force reducing piston 73. The bore 72, which communicates with the inlet bore 71 at one end, opens into a larger diameter longitudinal bore 74 slidably containing an operating member 75. The operating member 75 is joined to the force reducing piston 73 by means of a reduced diameter neck member 76. The neck member 76, in addition to connecting the force reducing piston '73 to the operating member 75, facilitates re-entry of force reducing piston 73 into the bore 72 after having been shifted therefrom upon extension of the operating member 75 to the position shown in FIG. '5.

With the operating member 75 in the position shown in FIG. 2, the end 77 of the operating member 75 abuts the lower side of an arm 54 extending outwardly to the side at right angles from the member 51, FIG. 1. When the operating member 75 is in the retracted or restored position, the B fluid impulse, when applied, will be acting for the most part upon the force reducing piston 73. However, since some fluid will pass as leakage around the force reducing piston 73 and into the bore 74, fluid will be acting upon the operating member '75. The leakage fluid, as it passes from the bore 72 into the bore 74, drops in pressure to a degree where the forces caused by it as it acts upon the operating member 75 are negligible. In fact, the resultant forces of the B fluid impulse acting upon the force reducing piston 73 and the the forces developed as the leakage fluid acts upon the operating member 75 are easily overcome by the holding force developed by the magnet 53. Hence, even though the B fluid impulse is applied to the unit 52, the operating member 75 will not be actuated to displace the member 51 while the magnet 53 is energized.

While the operating member is held in the retracted position by the magnet 53 and the B fluid impulse is applied, a portion thereof leaks past the force reducing piston 73 into the bore 74. The leakage fluid passes from that portion of the bore 74 not occupied by the operating member 75 to a leadofi bore 78 intersecting the lower end of the bore 74 and laterally extending to the left. The lead-off bore 78 is connected to a fluid reservoir, not shown, which is at zero hydraulic pressure.

The distribution of pressure upon the force reducing piston 73 and the operating member 75 as the B fluid impulse is applied with the operating member 75, in the position shown in FIG. 2, is shown in FIG. 8. The resultant force F shown in FIG. 8, is less than the holding force P of the magnet 53. Hence, the selectively operable magnet 53 can hold the operating member 75 against movement upon application of a B fluid impulse.

The hydraulically operated unit 59, FIG. 1, is cyclically operated by A fluid impulses and functions to restore. the member 51 and the operating member 75 after the same have been displaced as a result of the application of the B fluid impulse during the period when the magnet 53 is de-energized. 'The hydraulically operated unit 50 consists of a bored housingsti provided with a horizontally extending inlet bore 81 connected to the fluid conductor 36 to receive the A fluid impulses. The bore 81 extends into the housing 84 to intersect a longitudinal bore 82 slidably containing an operating member 83. One end 84 of the operating member 83 normally abuts the upper side of the arm 54, laterally extending at right angles from the member 51. The operating member 83 is displaced downwardly to become fully extended, if not already in the extended position, by the A fluid impulses as the same are applied cyclically to the inlet bore 81. The operating member 33 thereby returns the operating member 75 to the retracted position and causes the armature 55 to seat upon the core of the magnet 53. Hence, the

magnet 53 d es not perform any work but exercises only a control function over its associated armature 55. If the magnet 53 is energized at the time the armature 55 seats upon the core or is energized prior to this time or any time prior to the application of the B fluid impulse, the member 51 and the operating member 75 will be held against movement upon application of the B fluid impulse because the resultant force of the forces developed by the B flaid impulses acting upon the force reducing piston 73 and of the leakage fluid acting upon the operating member 75 is not great enough to displace the armature 55 away from the core of the magnet 53.

From the arrangement just described, it is seen that the full pressure of the B fluid impulse is selectively confined to act upon the force reducing piston 73 and the resultant force of the combined forces, developed as the E fluid impulse acts upon the force reducing piston 73 and as leakage fluid at low pressure acts upon the operating member 75, is overcome by the holding force of the magnet 53. When the magnet 53 is de-energized, the B fluid impulse displaces the force reducing piston 73 upward and from the bore 72 to a position whereby the B fluid impulse is able to act at full pressure upon the operating member 75. As the operating member 75 is displaced upwardly by the B fluid impulse, it carries the member 51 upwardly, thereby carrying the punch 56 upwardly to perforate the record card 58. The operating member 83 is also carried upward and pumps fluid from the bore 82 into the inlet bore 81. The fluid at this time passes from the inlet bore 81 to the fluid reservoir via the fluid impulse generator 10. After the B impulse ceases, the A impulse acts upon the operating member 83 and displaces the same downwardly and thereby carrice the member 51 and the operating member 75 to the restored position, as shown in FIG. 1. The fluid in the bore 74 is vpumped by the operating member 75 into the bore 72 and from there into the inlet bore 71. The fluid at this time passes from the inlet bore 71 to the fluid reservoir via the fluid impulse generator 10. After the operating member 75 is fully restored, upon the operating member 83 reaching its fully extended position, fluid otherwise entrapped in the bore 74 drains to the reservoir via the bleed bore 78.

PEG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the invention whereinthe forces developed by the B fluid impulses are selectively reduced by limiting the full pressure of the.

the operating member and whereby a seal is provided to prevent any leakage so that noforces are developed to act upon the operating member, which would otherwise be developed, by leakage fluid under pressure. While the structural elements of the embodiment in FIG. 4 are somewhat different in shape and position from those of the embodiment in FIG. 1, elements having a like function will be given like reference characters. Of course, those elements which are not like in function will be given new reference characters. It should be particularly noted that the embodiment in FIG. 4 achieves force reduction with the aid of a seal rather than a force reducing piston.

in FIGJ4, a longitudinal tubular 'slidable member 51 i's'closed atone end by an operating element 75 fixed to extend witln'n'and from the operating member 51. The plug element operating member 75 has a punch element 55 extending therefrom. The other end of the slidable member 51 is closed by a plug operating member 83, which forms together, with the associated end of the member 51, an armature of a magnet 53. Alternatively, the slidable member 51 alone can be of a material attractable by the magnet 53. Of course, both the slidable member 51 and the operating member 83 could be of material attractable by the magnet 94. Further, the armature formed by the end of the member 51 and the operating member 83 could be V-shaped and the magnet 53 could have a complementary shaped core. I

Disposed within the .slidable member 51 are stationary pistons 70 and 3%} provided with longitudinal bores 74 and 82, respectively. The longitudinal bore 74 connects with an 'inlet stationary conductor 71 extending from the piston '70 and through a slot 54 extending laterally through the slidable member 51. The length of the slot 5 should permit full movement of the slidable member 51 so as to enable the operating member 83 to engage the magnet 53 and for the punch '56 to. complete a punching stroke. The fluid conductor 71 is connected to the fluid conductor 39 to receive the B fluid impulses. The bore 82 in the stationary piston 80 communicates with a fluid conductor 81 which also extends through the slot 54. V The fluid conductor 81 is connected .to the fluid conductor .36 to receive the A fluid impulses.

When the A fluid impulses are applied over the conductor 81 to enter the bore 82, they act'upon the operating member 83, thereby carrying the slidable member 51 downwardly into contact with the core of the magnet 53. With .the slidable member 51 and operating member '83 seated upon the core of the control magnet 53, the end 90 of the stationary piston 70 abuts a seal element 91 fixed to the other end of the operating member 75 to face the end 9! of the stationary piston 70. The seal element 91 acts to seal the upper opening of the bore 74 in the stationary piston 70. The element 91 should be able to seal off the bore 74 when pressed thereagainst and may be of resilient material. With the bore 74 sealed, the .forces developed by the B fluid im pulses are limited'to the full pressure of the B fluid impulses acting upon the confined area of the seal element 91 exposed to the bore 74, as shown in FIG. 9. This force F FIG. 9, is quite small and can be overcome by the force P of the-magnet 53.

When the magnet 53 is de-energized, the B fluid impulse will open .the'seal provided by the seal element 91 by displacing the member 51, whereby the full pressure of the 1B fluid impulse acts upon the entire area of the seal element 91 to carry the operating member 75 and the slidablemember 51 upwardly at a rapid rate. Fluid in .the bore 82 will be pumped out to the fluid reservoir via the conductor 81 and the fluid impulse generator. 10. Subsequently, the A fluid impulse applied over the fluid conductor 81 will pa'ssthrough the bore 82 to act upon the operating member 83,'thereby carrying the operating member 33 and .slidable member 51 into position so as to seat upon the core of the magnet 94 and to bring the seal element 91 against the end of the stationary piston 70, so as to seal the bore 74. Further, during this action, fluid in the bore '74- is returned to the fluid reservoir via the conductor 81 and the fluid impulse generator 19. I t j 7 From the arrangement just described, it is seen that the forces developed by the B fluid impulses Will be selectively limited depending upon whether or not the magnet 53 is energized. Further, since the A fluid impulses act upon the operating member 83 to carry the operatmember 83 and slidable member 51 against the core of the magnet 53, the magnet 53 does not have to per.- form any. work but exercises only a control function over the operating member 9%.

The invention finds particular application in punching machines for selectively punching record cards. It is not only desirable to selectively perforate record cards according to a particular code, but the machine perforating the record cards should have the facility for operating at very high speeds so as to be able to keep up, to some extent, with the rate that information can be furnished to the punching machine. In this instance, the invention may be incorporated in a punching machine to provide selective punching at a relatively rapid rate. The invention successfully increases punching speed approximately threefold over that speed successfully obtained by devices known heretofore. Further,- the invention in either the form shown in PEG. 1 or in the form shown in FIG. 4 may be incorporated into a punching machine, as shown in FIG; 11.

A general schematic arrangement of the punching machine, shown in FIG. 11, includes blank cards contained in a hopper 'or magazine, not shown, advanced in seriatim by a conventional picker knife ratio a pair of cooperating feed rollers 122. The feed rollers 122 are driven from an intermittent hydraulic drive 123, shown schematically, through a gear train 124. The intermittent hydraulic drive 123 may be of the type described in the application of S. T. Titcomb, Serial No. 698,840, filed November 25, 1957. As the blank cards 12% are fed by the feed rollers 122, they pass between conventional sensing brushes 125 and a contact roll 126 to a pair of cooperating feed rollers 127, which are also driven from the intermittenthydraulic drive 123. By means of the hydraulic drive 123, the feed rollers 127 feed the blank cards 120 in successive increments at high speeds into punching position relative to the punches 56.

The cards 120 advance from the feed rollers 127 to a pair of feed rollers 128 also driven from the intermittent hydraulic drive 123. The feed rollers 123 feed the cards between sensing brushes 129 and contact roll 13% to copunches '56, the magnets 53'for controlling the movement of the punches 56 are selectively tie-energized. The impulses for selectively causing the magnets 53 to become de-energized may come from a card reader or from the results of analyzing a pattern card leading a group of the blank cards 120, as described in the patent to C. D. Lake, Patent No. 2,032,805. The perforations in the pattern card are analyzed by the'brushes 129, thereby permitting the closing of the circuit diagrammatically shown for one order, as from line L, contact roll 130 through brush 129, conductor 133, magnet 53 to line L. The magnet 53, normally latched or energized, is of the type which unlatches or becomes de-energized when it receives an impulse. When the brush 129 senses a perforation in an index position of the pattern card, the corresponding index position of the following blank card 120 is over one of the 9 perforated, it may act as a pattern card for the following blank cards of the group, as is well known in this form of punching machine.

Once punching takes place, it is necessary to restore the punches 55 to enable a subsequent punching operation. The punches 56 are restored as the A fluid impulses are applied upon the operating members 83.

Referring to FIG. 6, it is seen that, during the time that the B fluid impulse is applied, one of the magnets 53 becomes de-energized, whereby the forces developed by the B fluid impulse displace the associated punch 56 at a rapid rate. Subsequently, the punch 56 is restored by the A fluid impulse. Prior to the application of the A fluid impulse, the magnet 53 is again energized. Hence, the associated punch 55 is not displaced as the next 23 fluid impulse is applied. Of course, there will be no movement upon the next A fluid impulse because the punch '55 is already in the restored position.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, if the seal element 91 were not provided so that the fluid impulse were not absolutely confined to a limited area of the operating member 75, a relatively large force F would be developed by the leakage fluid, as shown in FIG. 10. This relatively large force F could be overcome only by providing a magnet having a stronger holding force than that contemplated for the magnet 53, and such a magnet would necessarily be slower in operation.

In conclusion, it is seen from the foregoing that controls have been provided for controlling the operation of hydraulic apparatus adapted to be actuated by cyclically applied fluid impulses including means for selectively limiting the forces developed by said fluid impulses, whereby the reduced forces are selectively overcome by selectively operable magnetic means so as to provide selective operation of the hydraulic apparatus. The forces developed by the cyclically applied fluid impulses are selectively reduced, in one instance, by a force reducing member, whereby the fluid impulses are confined at full pressure to only act upon the force reducing member and any leakage fluid is reduced to such a low pressure that the forces developed by the same to act upon an operating member are negligible, and, in another instance, the cyclic fluid impulses are permitted to act upon the operating member at full pressure but are confined so as to act upon only a limited area of the operating member, whereby the forces developed are relatively small. The reduced forces are selectively overcome by selectively operable magnetic means. Hence, the operat ng member will be displaced depending upon whether or not the magnetic means is operated. Further, it is seen that the invention has been incorporated in a punching machine in such a manner that the punches are selectively operable at a rapid rate.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Hydraulic control apparatus comprising: an operating member; means for cyclically applying fluid impulses to said operating member to effect movement thereof; magnetic means selectively operable to urge said operating member against movement in opposition to said fluid impulses applied to effect movement of said operating member; and force reducing means operable in response to said magnetic means being operable for limiting the forces developed by said fluid impulses, whereby said magnetic means is able to hold said operating member against movement.

2. Hydraulic control apparatus comprising: apparatus adapted to be operated by fluid impulses, means for cyclically applying fluid impulses normally developing forces to operate said apparatus, force reducing means selective- 1y operable for limiting the forces developed by said fluid impulses, and magnetic means selectively operable to control the operation of said apparatus when said force reducing means is operable to limit the forces developed by said fluid impulses.

3. Hydraulically operated apparatus comprising: a reciprocable element; a first piston having one end engaging said reciprocable element and the other end thereof being adapted to be acted upon by fluid impulses, said first piston is actuated by said fluid impulses to move said reciprocable element in one direction; a first housing hav: ing one bore slidably embracing said first piston in a manner that said one end is able to extend therefrom and another bore communicating with said one bore for conducting fluid impulses thereto; a second piston having one end engaging said reciprocable element and the other end having a force reducing piston extending therefrom, said other end and said force reducing piston being adapted to be acted upon by fluid impulses; a second housing having one bore for slidably embracing said force reducing piston, said one bore being counterbored to embrace said second piston so as to permit said one end thereof to extend from the housing to engage said reciprocable memher, said second housing having another bore communicating with said one bore for conducting fluid impulses thereto to act upon said force reducing piston; means for alternately applying fluid impulses to said another bores of said first and second housings; and magnetic means selectively operable to hold said reciprocable element against movement as fluid impulses are applied to said another bore of said second housing.

4. A device comprising: hydraulic apparatus operated by cyclically applied fluid impulses; an output member driven in opposite directions by said hydraulic apparatus; magnetic means selectively operable to resist movement of said output member in one direction; and force reducing means operably connected to said hydraulic apparatus to limit the starting force thereof while the same is acting to drive said output member is said one direction, whereby said magnetic means, when operated, is able to hold said output member against movement and to permit said starting force to develop a driving force to move said output member in said one direction if said magnetic means is unoperated.

5. Hydraulic apparatus operated by fluid impulses comprising: a tubular cylinder having opposite ends and provided with a slot intermediate of its ends to permit movement thereof; a first operating member xed to one end of said cylinder, a seal element fixed to said first operating member to extend inwardly into said cylinder; a first stationary bored piston disposed within said cylinder to conduct fluid impulses to act upon said seal element; a first inlet conductor extending through said slot to connect to said first bored piston; a second operating member fixed to the other end of said cylinder, a second stationary bored piston disposed within said cylinder to conduct fluid impulses to act upon said second operating member; a second inlet conductor extending through said slot to con nect to said second bored piston; and magnetic means selectively operable to hold said cylinder against movement upon application of fluid impulses to said first inlet conductor after said cylinder is moved by fluid impulses applied to said second inlet bore, whereby said seal element is positioned to seal ofl the bore in said first stationary piston.

6. In a punching machine, a first stationary piston provided with an open-ended longitudinal fluid conducting bore; a first fluid conductor fixed to connect to one end of said bore in said first stationary piston; a second stationary piston provided with an open-ended longitudinal fluid conducting bore; a second fluid conductor fixed to connect to one end of said bore in said second stationary piston; a slotted tubular cylinder disposed to slidably embrace said first and second stationary pistons so that the other ends of said bores therein face in opposite directions and said first and second fluid conductors extend through the slot; a first operating member fixed to one end of said tubular cylinder to plug the same; a seal elemovement when the same is positioned so that said seal element seals off the other end of said bore in'said first stationary piston, whereby fluid conducted thereto is confined to act upon the area of the seal element exposed to said other end of the bore.

7. In a punching machine, a slidably disposed punch element; a first operating member actuated by fluid impulses adapted to move said punch element in one direction to the punching position; a second operating member actuated by fluid impulses adapted to move said punch element in another direction to the restored position; selectively operable magnetic means positioned to cooperate with said punch element in the restored position to urge the same against movement to the punching position; and force reducing means for reducing the actuating force effected upon said first ope-rating member, whereby said magnetic means is able to hold'said punch element against movement to the punching position.

8. In a punching machine, a slidably disposed punch element, an operating member engaging said punch element and actuated by fluid impulses to move said punch element to the punching position, restoring means cyclically'operable for moving said punch element and thereby said operating member to the restored position, force ducing means operable with said operating member in the restored position to reduce the actuating force developed by the fluid impulses, and magnetic means selectivelycoperable to develop a holding force upon said punch element overcoming said reduced actuating force when said punch element is in the restored position.

9. In a punching machine, a slidably disposed member having a punch element formed at one end, an armature element formed at the other end, and a laterally extending arm disposed intermediate of the ends thereof; a first piston having one end abutting one side of said arm and another end adapted to be acted upon by fluid impulses displacing said first piston and member to carry the punch element to the punching position; a force reducing piston 12 fixed to extend from said another end of said first piston; a first housing having first and second bores formed about the same longitudinal axis, said first and second bores adapted to slidably embrace. said first and force reducing pistons, respectively, and an inlet bore connecting with said second bore to conduct fluid impulses thereto; a sec- 0nd piston having one end abutting the other side of said arm and another end adapted to be acted upon by fluid impulses displacing said second piston and said member to carry the punch element to the restored position; a second housing having one bore slidably embracing said second piston and a connecting inlet bore to conduct fluid impulses to said one bore; and a magnet disposed to engage said armature element when said member is carried to the restored position, said magnet heir: selectively operable to develop a holding force upon said armature element to hold said member against movement.

10. Apparatus of the type described comprising: a selectively operable .control magnet; an element displaceable away from and into contact with said magnet, said magnet being selectively operable to urge said element against movement; actuating means cyclically operable for displacing said element away from said magnet, said actuating means normally being able to displace said ele ment away from said magnet in opposition to said magnet being operated to urge said element against movement; and force reducing means operably controlled by said magnet to reduce the action of said actuating means.

11. Apparatus of the type described comprising: a selectively operable control magnet; an element displaceable away from and into contact with said magnet, said magnet being selectively operable to urge said element against movement; actuating means cyclically operable for displacing said element away from said magnet, said actuating means normally being able to displace said element in opposition to said magnet urging the element against movement; and force reducing means normally operable when said element is in contact with said magnet for reducing the action of said actuating means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,714,928 Rotkin et al. Aug. 9, 1955 2,857,968 Cousino Oct. 28, 1958 2,902,805 Panissidi Sept. 1, 1959' 

